About the song
Johnny Cash’s “Redemption”: A Spiritual Journey
Johnny Cash, the “Man in Black,” was known for his raw honesty and ability to explore profound themes in his music. “Redemption”, a track from his acclaimed 1994 album American Recordings, is a poignant reflection on faith, redemption, and the human condition.
The song, “Redemption”, is a powerful and moving ballad that explores themes of sin, forgiveness, and the search for meaning. Cash’s gravelly voice, filled with both weariness and hope, delivers the lyrics with a raw intensity that is both captivating and unsettling. The song’s sparse arrangement, featuring just acoustic guitar and Cash’s vocals, allows the lyrics and his emotional delivery to take center stage.
Cash’s performance is nothing short of iconic. His voice, weathered by years of smoking and singing, conveys a sense of lived experience and hard-won wisdom. He delivers the lyrics with a raw honesty and vulnerability that is both captivating and unsettling. The song’s ending, with Cash’s voice fading out, leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
“Redemption” has endured as a classic for several reasons. First, the song’s universal themes of redemption and the search for meaning resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds. Second, the music is both beautiful and haunting, creating a powerful and emotional listening experience. And finally, Cash’s performance is simply unforgettable, making it one of the most iconic recordings of his later career.
Beyond its musical merits, “Redemption” also holds historical significance. It’s a testament to Cash’s ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level and to explore profound themes with honesty and vulnerability. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, further solidifying its status as a modern-day spiritual.
If you’re looking for a song that will make you think about life, death, and the search for meaning, then look no further than “Redemption”. It’s a timeless piece of music that continues to inspire and move listeners.
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Lyrics
From the hands it came down
From the side it came down
From the feet it came down
And ran to the ground
Between heaven and hell
A teardrop fell
In the deep crimson dew
The tree of life grew
And the blood gave life
To the branches of the tree
And the blood was the price
That set captives free
And the numbers that came
Through the fire and the flood
Clung to the tree
And were redeemed by the blood
From the tree streamed a light
That started the fight
‘Round the tree grew a vine
On whose fruit I could dine
My old friend Lucifer came
Fought to keep me in chains
But I saw through the tricks
Of six-sixty-six
And the blood gave life
To the branches of the tree
And the blood was the price
That set captives free
And the numbers that came
Through the fire and the flood
Clung to the tree
And were redeemed by the blood
From his hands it came down
From his side it came down
From his feet it came down
And ran to the ground
And a small inner voice
Said “You do have a choice”
The vine engrafted me
And I clung to the tree
And the blood gave life
To the branches of the tree
And the blood was the price
That set captives free
And with the numbers that came
Through the fire and the flood
I clung to the tree
And were redeemed by the blood
From his hands it came down
From his side it came down
From the feet it came down
And ran to the ground